TfL Leadership of the Croydon Crash Investigation

Caroline Pidgeon: In response to a recent freedom of information request (FOI-2007-1819) TfL refused to publish any correspondence relating to the leadership of the Croydon crash investigation, claiming that disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the legislation, specifically the first principle of Article 5 of the General Data Protection Regulation. However, given that TfL has already published a separate freedom of information response (FOI-2200-1819) publishing a memo from the then TfL Board member Michael Liebreich which states in relation to TfL’s Safety, Sustainability and HR panel: “A number of panel members have raised with me discomfort at the specificity and accuracy of some management responses in recent meetings”, will you reconsider TfL’s refusal to publish any such correspondence regarding the leadership of the Croydon crash investigation, either through publishing the information with redactions or requesting permission for publication from the providers of the correspondence?

The Mayor: These two Freedom of Information requests are not directly comparable.TfL provided the information that was requested in one request (FOI-2200-1819), because it was a request about a TfL Panel meeting. The secondrequest (FOI-2007-1819) sought the disclosure of personal information about an individual. In accordance with TfL’s obligations under Data Protection legislation, such personal data was withheld under section 40(2) of the FOI Act and it would not be appropriate for TfL to change this position.

Idling (2)

Leonie Cooper: How are you specifically targeting schools which may be unable to benefit from other air pollution initiatives, such as school street closures, to cut down on idling instead?

The Mayor: Improving air quality at schools is a priority. All schools will benefit from the Ultra Low Emission Zone which is the most effective way of reducing emissions from vehicles. The first phase of the ULEZ will be launched in central London on 8 April 2019. A recent Aether report has confirmed that – mainly as a result of ULEZ and other mayoral measures – the number of primary and secondary schools exceeding NO2 limits will drop from 453 in 2013 to zero by 2025.
However, I recognise that further action to reduce exposure to air pollution is needed. My school air quality audits programme had identified tackling engine idling as a quick win which can be delivered by many schools. Support is provided for this through TfL’s STARS (Sustainable Travel: Active, Responsible, Safe) programme.
To support strategic action on idling across London I have invited applications from boroughs to the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund, details of which will be announced later this year.
Please see my answer to Mayor's Question 2019/0308 for further information about the idling action I am supporting.

Idling (1)

Leonie Cooper: How are you working with TfL and the Boroughs to cut down vehicle idling outside schools?

The Mayor: London boroughs are responsible for enforcing against idling, as outlined in the national Regulations. However, I am supporting boroughs to reduce idling through the Mayor’s Air Quality Funded ‘Idling Action Days’ project, which utilises volunteers to engage with the public about idling on monthly Action Days. This project is due to end in March 2019 but I have invited boroughs to apply for a further enhanced pan-London idling scheme in the next round of the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund. Applications to the fund closed on the 11th January, and an idling application has been received.
In addition to the MAQF, support is also provided to reduce idling around schools through TfL’s STARS programme which provides sustainable travel advice, support and accreditation to schools. Furthermore, I am calling on the Government to provide boroughs with stronger powers to address this issue.